Artwork & Antiques

We have the expertise to package all kinds of artwork, framed or unframed oils, watercolors, pastels, other media, sculpture, ceramics, photography, pottery, needlework, even stained and blown glass. Our selection of protective materials includes bubble wraps, foam wraps, glass mask, low pH wraps, corrugated, fiberboard, hard and soft polyfoam and more. All pieces go in strong corrugated boxes or wood crates. We have in-stock picture boxes for most common artwork sizes, but we are experts in building a custom box or crate to any specifications.

Our packaging is exceptional for protecting against damage. But in the unlikely event of damage or loss, Eastern Iowa Pak Mail has value coverage available to its customers to cover the verifiable value of the artwork. We have the support of our Pak Mail corporate value coverage in addition to any coverage the shipping service may offer. A few things we ask our customers to do before shipping highly valuable pieces:

• Keep purchase receipts or appraisals as evidence of value.
• If there is no evidence indicating current value, seek to have it documented in some fashion such as a documented price for a similar piece by the same artist, a publicized sale price, or an expert’s appraisal.
• Take several pictures of the item to document its condition.

Need to send antiques?

Eastern Iowa Pak Mail has been handling antiques since the day we opened our doors. We understand their irreplaceable nature. Whether it is delicate Imperial Russian china, a primitive six foot high sign, a carousel horse, or heirloom needlework, we can provide the proper techniques to protect each piece. We have been asked to be the on-site shipper for a Czech Glass Collectors’ national convention, for auctions of special collections including Victorian lights and carnival glass, and for over two decades for the semi-annual Midwest Antique Show. We have worked with antique dealers and collectors not only in Marion and Cedar Rapids but from Amana to Anamosa, from McGregor to Mt. Pleasant and all over the country.

Whether your antique is a new purchase or something that has been in the family for generations, you can be confident when you let Pak Mail pack and ship it.

Providing value coverage for antiques, especially family heirlooms, can be problematic. Coverage underwriters know that heirlooms which are priceless to a family may not hold an equal value to the rest of the world. Values of any antiques or collectibles can fluctuate significantly over time. Therefore, it is equally important that our clients have:

• a purchase receipt less than a year old from a retail business, dealer, estate sale, or other reputable source.
  or
• an appraisal that is less than a year old from a disinterested, third party expert/appraiser.